Wind Turbine Collapse in Oklahoma: Unknown Causes Investigated

Key Takeaways

1. A turbine at the Frontier II wind farm in Oklahoma collapsed on a calm day, with unclear reasons for the incident.
2. The wind farm has been operational since March 2021 and features 74 Nordex N149/4.XMW turbines, each producing 4 megawatts of power.
3. The turbine’s rotor measures 149.1 meters in diameter, with a hub height of up to 164 meters.
4. An investigation involving Nordex USA and Nordex Group is underway to determine the cause of the collapse.
5. The operator, Deriva Energy, confirmed that all employees are safe, the site is secure, and operations continue as normal.

The wind farm Frontier II, located in Oklahoma, has announced that one of its turbines has collapsed on a day that was otherwise calm, with the reasons for this incident still unclear. This wind farm has been in operation since March 2021 and was established in 2020, featuring 74 Nordex N149/4.XMW turbines, each capable of producing 4 megawatts of power.

Turbine Specifications

Each turbine is equipped with a rotor that measures 149.1 meters in diameter, and the hub height can reach up to 164 meters, depending on the specific location. The manufacturer, Nordex, has verified the turbine’s collapse through an email statement, noting that only material damage was sustained in the incident.

Investigation Underway

The event has been described as “bizarre” by local media, particularly because it took place on a calm day with no strong winds to account for the collapse. Consequently, Nordex confirmed that a team from both Nordex USA and Nordex Group has been assembled to investigate the underlying reasons for the failure, working closely with their customer, Deriva Energy.

Even though the cause of the turbine’s collapse remains a mystery, the operator of the wind farm has assured reporters that the site is secure and that operations continue as normal.

Safety Assured

A Deriva spokesperson emphasized, “All employees are safe and accounted for, and the site is secure. The plant remains safe and operational. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collapse.”

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